97 POINT PINOT STAR – Frank Melis' Wine

The Martinelli family has been growing grapes in the Russian River Valley since the 1880’s. At the ages of 19 and 16, Giuseppe Martinelli and Luisa Vellutini eloped from their small village in the Tuscany region of Italy, making their way to California looking for land to farm and start a winery.

In 1918 Giuseppe died, leaving Luisa with four children and the farm to care for. Their youngest son, Leno was twelve years old at the time and had wanted no other career in life than to be a farmer. Leno’s two older brothers wanted nothing to do with the impossibly steep hillside, so after completing the eighth grade, Leno finished school and took on the sole responsibility of farming the Zinfandel vineyard. His family told him that only a jackass would farm a hill that steep. Hence, he and his vineyard earned the name Jackass Hill.

In 1973 Lee Sr. took over management of his Uncle Tony Bondi’s estate, which was comprised mainly of apple orchards, and began planting vineyards in the rich soil of the Russian River Valley. Soon considered a premium grape grower, Lee’s fruit was in great demand from many wineries. Lee and his wife, Carolyn, realized the exceptional potential to create superb wines from these grapes, and decided to start their own winery, and the rest as they say…. is history.

Martinelli 2015 “Bondi” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
Retail 75.00 – GGWC 71.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6
Use code MARTINELLI during checkout

Galloni 97 Points: “The 2015 Pinot Noir Bondi Home Ranch, from Martinelli’s coolest Pinot site, is another stunner. Silky, nuanced and wonderfully expressive on the palate, the 2015 possesses remarkable intensity but in a decidedly mid-weight style by Martinelli standards. Dense and compact in its center, the 2015 needs at least a few years to open up. Even today, though, it is dazzling. Early to bloom and late to ripen, Bondi Home Ranch enjoys an especially long growing season.”

Make sure to check out the not so shabbily rated
MARTINELLI 2015 ZIO TONY PINOT NOIR, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, 96 POINTS
MARTINELLI 2014 PINOT NOIR “BONDI RANCH” 96 POINTS PARKER

Martinelli 2015 Zio Tony Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
Retail 75.00 – GGWC 71.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6
Use code MARTINELLI during checkout

Galloni 96 Points: “The 2015 Pinot Noir Zio Tony Ranch is another fabulous wine from Martinelli. Dark, round and inviting, the 2015 possesses striking depth and intensity. Succulent black cherry, plum, spice, leather and rose petal shape this utterly compelling Pinot. Sweet floral notes add attractive aromatic lift and refinement.”

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